Otoscope



Patented July' 19, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY L. DE ZENG, OFMOORESTOWN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO DEZENG STANDARD COMPANY, OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

OTOSCOPE.

Application filed August 8,1922. Serial No. 580,556.

My invention relates to a new and useful otoscope, or other diagnostic instrument, by which the examination of the ear, or other part of the body, is greatly facilitated.

The use and value of instruments of this I so character has in the past been limited, to a great extent, by their failure to provide both a proper illumination and a sufiicient magnification of the drum head of the ear, or other object under examination. In my novel instrument all of these difficulties have been overcome, I I

One object of the invention is to provide an increased illumination, which is accomplished in part by the use of a suitable condensing lens. Another object of the invention is to provide a better adaptation of the illumination by adjustment of either the light source or of the reflector or both. I

Another object of the invention is to provide means for obtaining a much improved view of the drum head of the ear (or other object) when the instrument is either open to the exit'of air or closed as for aspirating. A further object of my invention is to provide a'greatly increased magnification of the object under examination, my novel otoscope being essentially microscopic in character and yet simple enough in design and construction to permit of its being used in the same manner as an ordinary otoscope. A further object of the invention is to bring into detailed view objects on the drum head of the ear, or elsewhere, which are now invisible, this being the resultof' the improved illumination and the increased magnification of my instrument. Diseased or other conditions of the drum head may be earlier recognized and more definitely diagnosed by my novel otoscope, and small bodies heretofore invisiblemay now beseen and removed flOJTftliP ear. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel instrument, which is valuable also forlocating foreign bodies in the eye by reason of a superior illumination and magnification, my novel instrument being also found to be most useful for examining other parts of the body. I

To the above ends, my invention further consists, of the novel features of construction and advantage, hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims. I

For the purpose of illustrating my inven tion, I have shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred by me, since they will give in practice satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization and described. I

Figure 1, represents a side elevation of anotoscope, embodying oneform of my invention.

Figure 2, represents a front elevation of the otoscope head with the slide removed therefrom.

Figure 3, represents a front elevation similar to Figure 2, showing the slide in position. Y

- Figure 4 represents a section on line 44, Figure 8.

Figure 5 represents a front elevation of the slide and its lensin detachedposition.

Figure6 represents on an enlarged scale,

a section on line 66, Figure 5.

Figure 7 represents a plan view of a modified form of slide provided with two lenses. Figures 8 and 9 represent vertical sectional views of modifications of the otoscope head, speculum and their adjuncts.

Figure 10 represents a longitudinal sectional view of a speculum, showing a lens at the front of the smaller end thereof.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings r 1 designates my novel construction of otoscope, the same comprising a handle 2, which serves as a container for a battery (not shown) which maybe of any conventional or standard type, the top of said handle havingthe cover or cap 3 in engagement therewith, upon which is mounted the tubular extension 4, upon which is supported the head 5 which is primarily of the 'of these instrumentalities as herein shown form of an open ended cylinder, the front end having secured therein the speculum 6,

9 ess-nee candeScent electric lamp 7, the circuit controlling which, is opened or closed by the linger piece 8, and above the electric lamp 7 I locate the condensing le'ns'9 through whicl the rays of light pass upwardly and are deflected by the mirror or reflector 10 through a port 11 towards the small end of the speculum in parallelism with the axis thereof.

The rear of the cylinder or head 5 is closed by the cap or cover 12 which has an internally threaded flangel in engagement with said'head. The cover 12 is provided with the transverse ways 1 1 in which is mounted the slide 15, the latter havingthe bevelled edges 16 conforming to said ways and being.p'rm'ided with an opening 17 in which is'the magnifying lens 18.

Itwillibe' apparent that a single magnifying lens 18 may be employed, as seen 111 Figures 3 and 5, but it desiredl may employ a slide 19, such as seen in Figure 7 which is provided with two ,magnil ying lenses 20 designates av finger piece whereby the slide is readily n'ianipulated or manually reciprocated in its ways 14.

In the construction seen in Figure 8, I have shown the tubular extension l: as provided in its upper portion with an electric light 7 of the character seen in Figure 4-, and I have shown the upper end of said e2;- tension 4, as terminating in the reduced neck 21 in the upper portion ofwhich located the condensing lens 9 of the character already reil'erred to in connection with Figure 4. i

The extension 21 telescopes within the tubular member 22 and is held in adjusted" position with respect thereto by the set screw 23. The tubular member 22 is telescopically mounted within the pendant sleeve 24 and is held in position by theset screw Above the condensing lens 9 is located a mirror 10 of the character already referred to which reflects the rays of light through the port 11, as already described with respect to Figure 4.

It will be seen that by loosening the screw 23 the position of the condensing lens 9 with respect to the mirror or reflector 10 can be adjusted, and by loosening the set screw 7 25 the mirror 1-0 can be adjusted vertically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the speculum.

In the construction seen in Figure 9 the tubular portion i is provided with an upward reduced extension 26 which passes through the pendant sleeve 27, which is provided with the set screw 28, the upper end of said extension 26 carrying the lamp base 9-9 provided with an electric light 30, so that it will be seen that by loosening said screw 28 the position of the source of the light 30 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the speculum 6 can be adjusted according to re quirements. In the construction seen in. F i g ure 10, I have shown a speculum 6. as of the same general. construction as the specu lum seen in Figures 1, i, 8 and 9 but pie vid'cd with the magnifying lens 31 in its forward portion or at its smaller or introductory end.

In Figure 1, I- have shown a pneumatic attaclnnent comprising the compressible bulb'32 and tube 33 which at its upper end is adapted to engage the nipple 34:, so that air can be introduced into the head 5 and speculum (*3 when desired.

It will be seen from the foregoing dcscr'iption that my invention provides not only an adjustable illumination, but where the lamp is locatedoutside of the body portion of the instrument, the condensing lens concentrates an unusual amount oi. light upon the reflector, thereby giving an increased illun'iination over prior devices.

It will also be seen that I have intro duced novel means for greatly magnifying the-ear drum by means of the strong lens located at the introductory end of the speculum 31. This lens also acts as a condensor and concentrates more light upon the object than it would receive otherwise.

It will be further noted that I have employed novel means for viewing the ear through the end cap at the operators side of the instrument through the use 01? the enlarged opening, which may be closed through the adjustment of the slide 15.

This slide may carry but one lens 8 or two lenses 18, as seen in l igure 7, and by said means an unobstructed view of the drum of the car may be obtained through the lens while instruments are introduced through the enlarged opening to one sidethereo.)

When the slide 19 is provided with the two lenses 18, the slide may be adjusted to either the right or left side of the instrument with like results in either case, so that the car may be reached through the introduction of instruments through the enlarged opening.

In Figure 7, the lenses 18 may be of like or of dill'erent power, thereby giving the operator the advantage ol. additional depth of focus. In mounting the lens 18 in slidable fashion, the lens may be adjusted to any position within the elongated opening, thereby affording a lateral or a direct view through the speculum, the former position being desirable for operating and the latter for diagnosis.

In similar devices now in use, the magnitying lens is confined to the operators end of the instrument, and, in consequence, a magnification of the ear drum or similar parts is limited to about two diameters. In my invention, wherein I employ a lens at the operators end and another lens at the lIliHF ductory end of the instrument, I am able to l'lil obtain a greatly increased magnification, and in consequence, to see a great deal in the car which has not heretofore been seen or been visible. This feature alone constitutes in practice a very notable advance in efli-- lamp 7, it likewise may be adjusted up or down, as will be understood from Figure 9, upon the loosening of the set screw 28.

The lens 31 may be used in an interchangeable speculum in combination with an instrument having a reflector 10 or one having the lamp 30, and in addition, the lens 31 may be made of any desirable size and utilized in specula of different calibre for use in adults or childrens ears with like eifi ciency. It will now be apparent that I have invented a new and useful otoscop'e, which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description, and while I have, in the present instance, shown and described preferred embodiments thereof which will give in practice satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I. claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the character described, a handle, a tube extending from the handle, a casing on the tube having a speculum at one end and a cover plate atthe other end, a bevelled slide way on the cover plate, a slide in the bevelled slide way having an opening aligned with the opening in the speculum, and a lens in the opening in the slide.

2. In a device of the character described, a casing forming a closed chamber having a sighting orifice in one end thereof, a tapered speculum with an observation opening secured to the other end and an illuminating 1 opening in one side thereof, a lamp, a memher having a light passage way extending from the lamp through the opening in the side of the casing, a slide bearing around said light passage way member where it enters the casing, and meansfor locking said light passage way member in the slide bearing to position it in desired relation to the opening in the tapered speculum.

3. In a device of the character described, a casing forming a closed chamber having a sighting orifice in one end thereof, a tapered speculum having an observation opening'secured to the other end and an illuminating opening in one side thereof, a lamp, a member having a light passage way extending from the lamp through the opening in the side of the casing and having a light transmitting opening, a reflector in said light passage. way member adapted to reflect light: through the opening therein, a slide bearing around said light passage way member where it enters the casing, and means for locking said light passage way member in the slide bearing to bring the opening in the light passage way in desired relation to the opening in the speculum.

4. In a device of the cha 'acter described, a 'asing forming a closed chamber having a sighting orifice in one end thereof, a tapered speculum having an observation opening secured to the other end-thereof, and'an illuminating opening in one side thereof, a lamp, a member having a light passage way extending from the lamp through the opening in'the side of the casing and provided with a light transmitting opening, a reflector in said light passage way member adapted to reflect light through the light transmitting opening, a lens in said light passage way member adapted to focus the light from the lamp on the reflector, a slide bearing around said light passage way member where it enters the casing, and means for locking said light passage way member in the slide bear ing to bring the light transmitting opening in the lightpassage way in desired relation to the opening in the speculum.

5. In a device of the character described, a casing forming a closed chamber having a sighting orifice in one end thereof, a tapered speculum having an observation opening secured to the other end thereof, and an illuminating opening in one side thereof, a lamp, a member having a light passage way extending from the lamp through the opening in the side of the casing, a reflector in said light passage way adapted to reflect light through the opening in the speculum, a lens in said light passage way adapted to focus the light on the reflector, a slide bearing around said light passage way member where it enters the casing, means for locking said light passage way member in the slide bearing to bring the reflector in desired relation to the opening in the speculum, a second slide bearing, and means to adjust the lens in the second slide bearing to focus the light on the reflector.

v6. In a device of the character described, a casing forming a closed chamber having a sighting orifice in one end thereof, a tapered speculum having an observation opening secured to the other end thereof, and an illuminating opening in one side thereof, a

, lamp, a member having a lightpassage way extending from the lamp, a lens in. said ill) light passage way, aslide bearing around HHNl. llght passage Way, means for locking Rfiltl light passage way in the slide bearing,

a second slide bearing around the opening in the casing and: around the first slide bear ing, means to loekthe first slide bearing in the second slide bearing, and a reflector aligned with said light passage way and adapted to refleet the light throughithe 0pen ing in the speculum, said reflector being adapted to be positionedwith respect to the opening in the speculum by adjustment of the second slide bearing in the first, and the lens being adapted to be adjusted with respeet to the reflector by movement of said light passage Way member in the second slide bearing.

HENRY L. DE ZENG. 

